SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- It was a windy Thursday, with powerful gusts causing more than 40,000 power outages across the state.
More than 11,000 homes and businesses in Metro Detroit were without power as of late Thursday afternoon, as a result of wind damage and other equipment problems.
By 9 p.m., though, power had largely been restored to most of the area. DTE Energy officials said just under 4,000 people were still without power.
DTE said earlier in the day, the largest outage was in Southfield, near 10 Mile and Southfield Roads.
Wind gusts of 45 to 48 miles per hour have been reported in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Howell.
Meanwhile, Consumers Energy crews were trying to restore power to nearly 30,000 customers earlier in the day. By 9 p.m., that number had dropped to about 13,000.
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory, which remained in effect for most of southern Lower Michigan until 8 p.m.
The NWS upped the advisory early Thursday afternoon; officials originally told Michiganders to expect isolated gusts from 40 to 50 mph, but the winds have been roaring above and beyond initial estimates in areas along and north of I-69 corridor.
Meteorologists said the strongest winds were expected from noon until 7 p.m., warning that gusts could be strong enough to down trees, cause power outages and blow around unsecured objects outside.
DTE issued a storm alert through its website stating they anticipate possible power outages in the area and reminded communities of the dangers of downed powerlines.
"Our crews are ready to act quickly and safely to restore power as soon as possible," DTE said. "Please be safe and remember to stay at least 20 feet from any downed power line — assume them to be live and dangerous. Report any outage or downed line."
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Outages in most of the affected areas are the result of downed trees and wind damage, DTE determined.
Check DTE's outage map.
Local officials have advised drivers take extra caution while out on the roads Thursday, especially when driving a high profile vehicle.
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